Chelsea ex-players speak on Pochettino's departure

Chelsea's decision to part ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino (52) on Tuesday has come as a surprise to many former players. They believe that this unexpected move could potentially hinder the club's efforts to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League.

Pochettino joined Chelsea before the start of the 2023-24 season, following the club's disappointing 12th-place finish in the previous campaign. Initially, his tenure faced some challenges as the newly assembled squad took time to find their rhythm. However, a remarkable run of five consecutive victories in their last five league matches propelled them to sixth place and secured their spot in European competition.

Former Chelsea player Craig Burley did not mince his words when expressing his thoughts on Chelsea's decision. He criticized the club for lacking a clear vision, stating, "It's all a bit of a mess, honestly. They just don't have a vision; they're stumbling from one manager to the next... There's not really many managers out there right now."

Gus Poyet, another ex-Chelsea midfielder, found it difficult to comprehend Pochettino's departure. He expressed his shock, saying, "Everyone close to Chelsea was expecting a great summer and something important for next year. But we don't know the inside. I was shocked, I couldn't believe it. It was kind of impossible."

Frank Leboeuf, a former Chelsea and France defender, voiced his concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the club's future after Pochettino's exit. He lamented, "It's a pity because they've been exceptional in the past few games, but now we don't know what we're going to face next season. We don't know where we'll go with all these young players. I have doubts that it'll be better than this season."

Cole Palmer, who was named the Premier League's young player of the season after an outstanding campaign, took to Instagram to express his gratitude to Pochettino. He wrote, "Thank you for everything you have done for me and for making my dreams come true. All the best."

According to reports in the British media, potential candidates to replace Pochettino include Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim, and former Brighton manager Roberto.